If you feel shaking, vibrating, or a pulsing sensation in your steering wheel, your rear tires may be out of balance. This issue can arise when one or more of your tires is not rotating at the same rate as the others. As a result, the vehicle will shake or vibrate, which can be hazardous and lead to an accident. There are several indicators that your rear tires are out of balance. I’ve listed 10 rear tire out of balance symptoms in this guide to help you determine if your rear tires are out of balance.
Table of Contents
- 1 Rear tire out of balance symptoms
- 1.1 1. If it’s skewed in one direction:
- 1.2 2. The tire’s worn wear pattern
- 1.3 3. If there is excessive rubber squealing:
- 1.4 4. Whether or not the tires are heavier or lighter:
- 1.5 5. When vibrating at high rates:
- 1.6 6. Put some tread on your tires:
- 1.7 7. The steering wheel is unresponsive:
- 1.8 8. If you use more fuel:
- 1.9 9. Bearings or shocks that have failed:
- 1.10 10. Tire pressure imbalance:
- 2 FAQ:
- 3 Wrapping up
Rear tire out of balance symptoms
1. If it’s skewed in one direction:
Take a look at your rear tires while the car is parked to see if they are out of balance. If you notice that one of the tires is wearing down faster than the others, or if it leans in one direction more than the other, the tire is likely out of balance. You can also test your car’s balance by driving down a straight road and abruptly applying the brakes.
2. The tire’s worn wear pattern
There are a few indicators that your rear tires are out of balance. One method is to examine the tire wear pattern. If one side of the tire is worn out faster than the other, the tire is probably out of balance. When driving, you can also detect vibration in the steering wheel. Your tires may be out of balance if you feel the car shaking or vibrating.
3. If there is excessive rubber squealing:
You won’t be as distressed in your vehicle as you once were because there are no extra sounds that could cause you to miss something wrong with it. Because the sounds were not present when your car was first delivered, you will be essentially helpless. If your car is vibrating or humming, it may be due to unbalanced wheels. When you accelerate your vehicle, keep an eye out for excessive rubber squealing. This beeping noise could indicate unbalanced rear tires. If you believe you will need to spend more money on tire replacement, consult with an expert.
4. Whether or not the tires are heavier or lighter:
There could be several causes for your car to vibrate, one of which could be that the rear tires are out of balance. If you notice an excessive vibration, take your vehicle in for a check-up to determine the root cause. This is often caused by one or more tires being heavier or lighter than the others. To resolve the issue, you can have your tires balanced at a mechanic.
5. When vibrating at high rates:
If your car vibrates at high speeds, it is likely that your rear tires are out of balance. You can also test this by grasping the top of each rear tire and moving them in opposite directions. If one moves faster than the other, the system is likely out of balance.
6. Put some tread on your tires:
There are a few indicators that your rear tires are out of balance. One method is to inspect the tread on your tires. If the tread on one side of the tire is significantly deeper than the other, the tire is most likely out of balance. Another way to tell is to feel the car while it is in motion.
7. The steering wheel is unresponsive:
The simplest way to check for unbalanced rear tires is to test the steering wheel. You will feel uneasy behind the wheel if your tires are unbalanced, which can be caused by an unresponsive steering wheel. The steering wheel temporarily ignores your commands; if pushed too far, it can result in serious accidents.
8. If you use more fuel:
Your car may be consuming more fuel than usual for a variety of reasons, one of which is that your rear tires are out of balance. When the tires are out of balance, the car vibrates and consumes more fuel. If you’re experiencing unusual fuel consumption, have your car checked by a mechanic to see if the issue is caused by an unbalanced engine.
9. Bearings or shocks that have failed:
Your rear tires may be out of balance due to faulty bearings or shocks, but there could be another cause. Some wheel assembly components, such as shocks, bearings, and springs, can fail if your rear wheels are not balanced. If your rear tires are soiled or damaged, any incorrect shifting will cause them to slip gradually. If your tires are worn out, make sure you perform the necessary maintenance to prevent further wear.
10. Tire pressure imbalance:
An uneven tire could be caused by an imbalance in tire pressure. A lack of pressure can spread to all of your rear tires over time, affecting your driving. When your rear tires require an equalized out pressure level, adding pressure to them will balance them.
FAQ:
What do your tires sound like when they’re out of balance?
When your tires are out of balance, your car will vibrate (sometimes humming, sometimes buzzing). This vibration is most noticeable while driving on the highway. To avoid this, it is critical to have your tires balanced on a regular basis.
How can I tell if my wheels need to be balanced?
There are several ways to tell if your wheels need to be balanced. One thing to check is the tread on your tires. If they are wearing unevenly, it is a sign that they need to be balanced. Another way to tell is to feel the car while it is in motion. Another sign that the wheels need to be balanced is if they shake or vibrate.
How long will you be able to drive on unbalanced tires?
It is never safe to drive on unbalanced tires. The imbalance can cause the car to pull to one side, making control difficult. It can also cause uneven tire wear, which can lead to a blowout.
How much does tire balancing cost?
A wheel balance service usually costs around $50. This cost varies depending on the shop and the type of service provided.
How often should you have your tires balanced?
The frequency with which you must balance your tires is determined by a number of factors, including the make and model of your vehicle, the type of tires you have, and how frequently you drive. Experts generally recommend balancing your tires every 6,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first.
Wrapping up
Tires are an important component of any vehicle, but they should not be worn unevenly. Small flaws and problems can appear to be major issues, and many of your tires may lose balance in a well-rounded manner. This is why it’s critical to keep your vehicle’s weight symmetrically distributed on your tires and a small amount of wheel alignment on your steering wheel to avoid undue wear on your ride.